After a steady decrease over the summer, average European hotel prices have increased by 18 percent in September in comparison to the previous month. Nearly all of the most popular European cities have seen an increase in hotel rates. Paris, Venice and Stockholm are at their highest rates this year. Spain is the only country where hotel prices continue to decrease. These are the findings of the tHPI (trivago Hotel Price Index) which is published monthly by the hotel price comparison site trivago.co.uk.

The trivago Hotel Price Index shows that the average price for a standard double room in September is 106 pounds, 18 percent more than previous month. This shows a clear rise in prices within the hotel industry for the first time since the decline in prices which started in May. Even though hotel prices in September 2009 are ten percent less than this time last year, there was also a strong increase in hotel rates from August to September in 2008. This is due to the fact that September is a popular month for city trips.

Fairs and exhibitions are driving hotel prices up in Europe
In 46 of the 50 tHPI cities hotel prices have increased in comparison to the previous month. The most expensive European cities are Geneva (184 pounds), Venice (175 pounds) and Stockholm (150 pounds). These previously mentioned cities have reached their highest level this year. An obvious rise in comparison to the previous month can also be seen in Italian metropolises: In Milan hotel prices have increased by 41 percent to 145 pounds, in Venice by 33 percent (175 pounds) and in Rome by 31 percent (132 pounds). Asides from the growth of city tourism in September, large fairs and exhibitions account for the rise of hotel prices. For example, in Milan travellers can visit Fashion Week and Venice has an international film festival. Overall, hotel prices in Italy have increased by 13 percent in comparison to the previous month. Spain is an exception: Overnight accommodation prices are three percent cheaper than last month. The cheapest hotel rooms in Europe can currently be found in Granada (65 pounds), Krakow (66 pounds) and Valencia (71 pounds).

Hotel prices also increase in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the price for a standard double room has increased by four percent from 102 pounds to 106 pounds. Northern Ireland (93 pounds) is the cheapest country in the United Kingdom, followed closely by Wales (94 pounds) and England (119 pounds). Scotland has the highest average hotel rates in September (124 pounds), even though hotel prices have decreased by 40 percent to 120 pounds after the cultural festival in August. In English cities the largest rise in hotel prices can be seen in Birmingham (23 percent) and Manchester (20 percent); hotel prices have also increased in London (135 pounds).